J.J. Regan of NBC Sports Washington: Brian MacLellan faces many questions but one of the bigger inquiries is Ilya Samsonov. Samsonov started to look like the goalie many Washington think he can be in the postseason. However, there exist obvious concerns with some disciplinary lapses.
The lapses had some to do with COVID protocols and there were a few nagging injury issues as well. A bridge deal feels like an almost certainty. The 24-year-old goaltender has upside but much to prove.
Washington carries precious little cap space though. Any deal with Samsonov has to be two or three years at the maximum.